146 



ARBORKl'LTURE 



roM.AKIUNc;. 



One of the best illustrations of the evil 

 results of close plantinjr of rapid growing 

 trees is seen all through California, 

 where the Eucalyptus has been so exten- 

 sively planted in rows from 4 to 6 feet 

 apart. 



The Eucalyptus having many of the 

 characteristics of Catalpa spcciosa, viz*., 

 vigorous growth — ujiright trunk, gradual 

 taper from ground to apex, strong root 

 system, adaptability to many varied soils 

 and locations. 



These trees, so close planted, are tall, 

 slender, dwarfed in wood growth by the 

 constant struggle ff>r life with close 

 neighbors under ground, are from 8 to 

 12 inches in diameter, while those given 

 sufficient room are from three to four 

 feet thickness in the same length of time. 



As a windbreak these trees accomplish 

 their purpose ; as fuel producers they 

 serve a good turn, but for economical 

 wood growth their total failure is clearly 

 apparent. 



As a comparison, one of these trees in 

 close hedge, 4x6 feet, contains 19]/^ cu1)ic 

 feet of wood, while one tree at San 

 Jose, but 30 years old, contains 700 cubic 



feet of wood, which is capable of being 

 sawed into six thousand feet B, M. of 

 valuable lumber. This is. and always 

 will be, the result of close planting of 

 both Eucalyptus and Catalpa sf>cciosa, it 

 being impossible to obtain satisfactory 

 economical wood growth without first 

 securing a corresponding power beneath 

 the soil surface, to suppl\ necessary 

 energy to the trees. 



Another demonstration of the loss in 

 timber production is seen where the tall- 

 growing luicalyptus has been universally 

 cut hack at a height of ten or twelve feet, 

 causing numerous branches to form a low 

 I'cad. Such trees are totally worthless 

 for economic uses. Spoiled for piling 

 timbers, ruined for milling purposes, and 

 only valuable for shade. 



With Catalpa speciosa this occurs 

 where linemen cut back the main shoots. 

 Wherever a branch occurs — low down on 

 the trunk — it decreases the size of the 

 trunk alK)\e the branch — in direct ratio 

 to the area of the growing limb. Nature 

 will not remove these — man must do it if 

 ])rofitab!e wood growth is desired. 



